

DEDICATED FOR BROTHERS & SISTERS AROUND THE GLOBE WHO LIGHT A CANDLE IN THE WAY OF OTHERS, WHO ILLUMINATE THE GLOBE & PUSH THE HUMAN RACE FORWARD
What is an Honorary Doctorate Degree?
An honorary degree is a special academic recognition granted by a university or similar institution, where the typical requirements for earning a degree are waived. This gesture is often a way of showing appreciation for a remarkable individual's notable achievements in a specific field or their significant contributions to society as a whole. Sometimes, universities may award honorary degrees to guest speakers during graduation ceremonies. However, it's important to note that these degrees do not hold the same professional status as regular earned doctorate degrees and should not be misrepresented as such when seeking employment.
At Catholic Open University, the Honorary Doctorate Degree is an Award and represents the highest level of formal academic recognition granted by the University. It is reserved for individuals whose excellence, distinction, and influence reflect outstanding intellectual stature and global respect. This recognition is conferred through careful institutional evaluation to ensure that each recipient embodies the values, credibility, and academic standing associated with the university. As such, the Honorary Doctorate awarded by Catholic Open University stands as a mark of prestige, respect, and enduring academic distinction.
Why the Honorary Doctorate at Catholic Open University Is the World’s Highest Online Academic Distinction

An Honorary Doctorate That Cannot Be Purchased
A distinction granted by merit alone, never by payment.
The Honorary Doctorate Degree from Catholic Open University is granted entirely free of charge, with no fees and no hidden costs. This makes it a truly priceless distinction, awarded solely on merit and integrity, never on payment. Because it cannot be bought, it carries a level of credibility and respect that sets it apart from paid or symbolic honors

An Honorary Doctorate Supported by Proven Achievement
A recognition grounded in documented work and verifiable academic contribution
This honorary doctorate is supported by clear, verifiable evidence of achievement.
Each recipient’s recognized work and contributions are formally preserved in the Research & Study Center Digital Library, creating a permanent academic record that demonstrates why the title was deserved. This ensures that the Honorary Doctorate reflects real accomplishment, intellectual value, and lasting academic recognition.
How Catholic Open University's Honorary Doctorate Can Change Your Life
Catholic Open University’s Honorary Doctorate is more than a title. It is a mark of prestige and respect.
It is a formal recognition that elevates your credibility, strengthens your professional standing, and affirms the value of your achievements. It reshapes how your work and legacy are perceived, creating lasting recognition that follows your name and influence over time.

Academic fields and areas of recognition
Honorary recognition may be granted across a wide range of academic and professional fields, including but not limited to:
Education, theology, philosophy, social sciences, humanities, technology, innovation, healthcare, business, ethics, public service, and interdisciplinary research.
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Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)
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Honorary Doctorate in Education (EdD)
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Honorary Doctorate in Law (LLD)
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Honorary Doctorate in Medicine (MD)
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Honorary Doctorate in Social Work (DSW)
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Honorary Doctorate in Engineering (DEng)
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Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Humanities (DHum)
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Honorary Doctorate in Environmental Studies (DEnv)
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Honorary Doctorate in Technology Innovation (DTech)
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Honorary Doctorate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (DPNL)
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Honorary Doctorate in Public Health (DPH)
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Honorary Doctorate in Political Science (DPS)
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Honorary Doctorate in Communications and Media (DCM)
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Honorary Doctorate in Economics (DEcon)
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Honorary Doctorate in Cultural Studies (DCS)
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Honorary Doctorate in Architecture and Design (DArch)
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Honorary Doctorate in Psychology (DPsy)
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Honorary Doctorate in Religious Studies (DRS)
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Honorary Doctorate in Science and Research (DSci)
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Honorary Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPharm)
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Honorary Doctorate in Public Service and Government (DPSG)
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Honorary Doctorate in Art & Design (DArt)
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Honorary Doctorate in International Relations (DIR)
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Honorary Doctorate in Human Rights (DHR)
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Honorary Doctorate in Information Technology (DIT)
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Honorary Doctorate in Agricultural Sciences (DAS)
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Honorary Doctorate in Urban Development (DUD)
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Honorary Doctorate in Music (DMus)
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Honorary Doctorate in Environmental Science (DES)
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Honorary Doctorate in Forensic Science (DFSci)
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Honorary Doctorate in Film Studies (DFS)
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Honorary Doctorate in Marketing (DMktg)
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Honorary Doctorate in Jewelry Design (DJD)
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Honorary Doctorate in Product Design (DPD)
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Honorary Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (DAIML)
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Honorary Doctorate in Geriatrics (DGer)
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Honorary Doctorate in Cultural Heritage and Preservation (DCHP)
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Honorary Doctorate in Space Exploration and Aeronautics (DSA)
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Honorary Doctorate in Peace and Conflict Resolution (DPCR)
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Honorary Doctorate in Sustainable Development (DSD)
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Honorary Doctorate in Leadership and Innovation (DLI)
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Honorary Doctorate in Global Health and Humanitarian Work (DGHW)
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Honorary Doctorate in Literature and Creative Writing (DLit)
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Honorary Doctorate in Sports Science and Human Performance (DSSH)
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Honorary Doctorate in Genetic Research (DGR)
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Honorary Doctorate in Family Studies (DFS)
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Honorary Doctorate in Neuropsychology (DNP)
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Honorary Doctorate in Hospitality Management (DHM)
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Honorary Doctorate in Media Studies (DMS)

Apply for a Free Honorary Doctorate Award
Submitting an application for the Honorary Doctorate at Catholic Open University is free of charge and open to individuals worldwide. There are no application fees and no hidden costs.
Anyone may submit an application for consideration. Each application is reviewed carefully to ensure that recognition is granted based on merit, credibility, and genuine achievement.
You are invited to apply and share your work, contributions, or achievements for academic consideration.
To begin, please fill out the application form below.
Warning
Please be advised that Honorary Doctorates are awarded based strictly on merit and are never available for purchase. Any organization or individual requesting payment in exchange for an honorary doctorate is engaging in fraudulent activity.
At the Catholic Open University, Honorary Doctorate Degree Awards are granted entirely free of charge, with no associated fees, financial commitments, or compensation requirements. Qualified candidates may apply for an honorary doctorate without incurring any cost.
The purpose of the Catholic Open University’s Honorary Doctorate is to recognize and honor individuals whose professional achievements and dedication have made significant contributions to the advancement of humanity.
Honorary Doctorate Degree Award FAQs
1. What is the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award at Catholic Open University?
The Honorary Doctorate Degree Award at Catholic Open University is a formal academic distinction granted in recognition of verified scholarly contribution and published research. It honors individuals whose work demonstrates meaningful intellectual impact, ethical responsibility, and contribution to knowledge and society.
2. Is the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award a taught academic degree?
No. The Honorary Doctorate Degree Award is not a taught academic degree and does not involve coursework, classes, or examinations. It is an honorary academic recognition awarded based solely on publishing achievement and academic merit.
3. How can someone become eligible for the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award?
Eligibility is granted exclusively through the successful publication of scholarly work in the Research and Publishing Program.
Only applicants whose research is formally reviewed, approved, and published by the Research and Study Center may be considered eligible. There are no alternative pathways to eligibility.
4. Is the Honorary Doctorate Degree purchased or paid for?
No. The Honorary Doctorate Degree cannot be purchased and is not sold. Any costs associated with participation relate only to academic publishing and administrative processing within the Research and Publishing Program, not to the award itself.
5. What role does the Research and Publishing Program play in the Honorary Doctorate process?
The Research and Publishing Program is the academic foundation of the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award. It provides the structured pathway through which scholarly work is reviewed, published, and archived. Eligibility for the award is established only after all publishing criteria are successfully met.
6. Can recipients use the title Doctor after receiving the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award?
Yes. Recipients of the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award may be addressed with the title Doctor in academic, professional, and social contexts where honorary distinctions are customarily recognized. The title reflects academic recognition and scholarly contribution rather than completion of a taught doctoral program.
7. Can the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award be used for employment or professional licensing?
No. The Honorary Doctorate Degree Award is an academic honorary distinction and is not a professional qualification, academic degree, or licensure credential. It is not intended for employment, regulated professions, or statutory purposes.
8. How long does the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award process take?
Once all academic publishing requirements are fully completed, administrative and academic processing timelines depend on the selected publishing plan. Processing durations reflect review and verification procedures after publication and are clearly communicated during enrollment.
- Scholarly: 30 Days after meeting the publishing criteria.
- Advanced: 21 Days after meeting the publishing criteria.
- Distinguished: 7 Days after meeting the publishing criteria.
9. How is the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award documented and preserved?
All approved and recognized work is officially archived in the Catholic Open University Digital Library, ensuring permanent academic preservation and public verification.
Recipients receive an official Honorary Doctorate Degree Certificate (Doctor Honoris Causa) that is formally issued, signed, and sealed by Catholic Open University, along with a verified digital academic record documenting their scholarly contribution and honorary recognition.
10. Why does Catholic Open University award honorary doctorates through publishing rather than nomination?
Catholic Open University awards honorary recognition through publishing to ensure transparency, academic integrity, and merit-based evaluation. This approach guarantees that every honorary distinction is supported by documented scholarly work, ethical research standards, and verifiable academic contribution.
11. What is the difference between an Honorary Doctorate Degree and a PhD?
A PhD is an earned academic degree that requires formal coursework, supervised research, examinations, and the successful defense of an original doctoral thesis over several years of study.
An Honorary Doctorate Degree is an academic distinction awarded to recognize significant scholarly, professional, or societal contribution. It is not earned through coursework or examinations and does not represent completion of a doctoral study program.
At Catholic Open University, the Honorary Doctorate Degree Award is granted only after verified scholarly work has been reviewed and published through the Research and Publishing Program, ensuring that honorary recognition is based on documented academic contribution rather than instruction or enrollment in a doctoral degree program.


